Snowflake Cutout Tutorial

October 13, 2010

Here’s this tutorial in case you missed it on UCreate:

I love this method, even though it’s kind of time-consuming, but it is so worth it when people ask you where you got your shirt and you can say that you made it! Plus cutouts and lace are so in fashion this season (Did you guys notice Heidi Klum’s outfit last Project Runway?)

Here’s what you need to get started:

Supplies:

Fat quarter of fabricHeavy-weight fusible webbing (not super heavy but fairly durable)Tank top (I bought one at Walmart for like $5)

Here’s the tank I bought: I got the largest size available so that it would be super long, like a tunic

Here’s my fabric

Start by ironing the fusible webbing onto your fabric

Fold the fabric in half, right sides together

Print this out if you don’t feel comfortable drawing your own (it should be a full 8.5×11 page)

Print this out too! It’s the straps…and you can cut on the dotted lines to adjust length (or add more)

Place your template on the folded fabric, the straight side along the fold. This is how you get a perfectly symmetrical cutout.

I traced it with a fabric marker that washes out. Cut this shape out…

…it will look like this!

This is roughly what it will look like (but much cuter, don’t worry!)

Re fold your cutout and draw on your design. Draw the shapes on the fold so you can cut into the fold (remember doing paper snowflakes as a kid? It’s the same concept here.)

You are going to do this with every shape you drew. You can use an exacto knife if you prefer, but it takes a LOT longer (believe me.) Basically you just fold the fabric down the mid-line of your shape and cut so that when you unfold it it’s symmetrical. Kind of like how you cut out heart shapes for Valentines.

See how pretty it looks when you’re done?

Now for the long part: sewing around each cut. Basically that’s what you do…just sew about a 1/4 inch away from each cutout so that when it begins to fray in the wash, it won’t completely dissolve. The fusible webbing will help prevent it from fraying like crazy.

This is what the back looks like…I think it would be cool to do white with a colored thread (although you can see all the mistakes!)

Now it’s time to add the cutout to the tank: Place your cutout on your tank and use it as a guide to know where to cut.

Cut the straps off in the back roughly here

Hem your raw edges by folding over twice and sewing

Pin the cutout onto the back. Then, try on the shirt to see where you want the straps to be.

Pin the straps onto the front…if they are too wide, it doesn’t matter…just squish the fabric a little so it fits. Sew where you pinned.

And you are done! This is what it should look like. I took in the sides at the top near the armhole so it would fit me at the top but flow at the bottom. (Remember this was XXL size!)

Here’s the back

Now add a cute skirt, accessories, and boots!

And you got a hot new look! (And yes that is the world’s tiniest ponytail in my hair!)

Thanks so much for the tute! I love the idea, especially how the cutout part is a contrasting fabric. In all my years of altering tees and tanks I can’t believe I’ve never thoguht of doing something like this. I think I’m gonna play around with the idea some and see if i can figure out a way to use it with a tee since I personally don’t wear many tanks. But even if I can’t I know plenty of people that wear tanks that would love a cute one like this for xmas.

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Trackbacks

[…] get into the holiday spirit, but live someplace where a white Christmas is unlikely? Check out this snowflake cutout tank top tutorial from Heidi at Honeybear Lane to make your own festive warm-weather top! I love the casual look of […]

[…] My dollar store has had a regular supply of t-shirts and other clothing lately, so I've been having a great time refashioning things on the cheap. I love this idea from Heidi at Honeybear Lane — making a very pretty alteration to a boring tank top. Using a fat quarter and a cool cut-out trick, she customized an inexpensive tank top into a very pretty refashion. You can remake a tank top you already have on hand, or hit the dollar store, thrift store, or big box store to find a shirt that will work for this project. [how to make a snowflake cutout tank top] […]

[…] My dollar store has had a regular supply of t-shirts and other clothing lately, so I've been having a great time refashioning things on the cheap. I love this idea from Heidi at Honeybear Lane — making a very pretty alteration to a boring tank top. Using a fat quarter and a cool cut-out trick, she customized an inexpensive tank top into a very pretty refashion. You can remake a tank top you already have on hand, or hit the dollar store, thrift store, or big box store to find a shirt that will work for this project. [how to make a snowflake cutout tank top] […]

[…] My dollar store has had a regular supply of t-shirts and other clothing lately, so I've been having a great time refashioning things on the cheap. I love this idea from Heidi at Honeybear Lane — making a very pretty alteration to a boring tank top. Using a fat quarter and a cool cut-out trick, she customized an inexpensive tank top into a very pretty refashion. You can remake a tank top you already have on hand, or hit the dollar store, thrift store, or big box store to find a shirt that will work for this project. [how to make a snowflake cutout tank top] […]